Paris-Roubaix: Kopecky, Wiebes, Berteau…The favorites of the women’s race
Under the cobblestones, rage. Frustrated last year by the unpredictable victory of Canadian Alison Jackson (EF Education-Cannondale), who has not raised her arms since, the stars of the women’s peloton return to the cobbles of the North with long teeth, Saturday April 6. For its fourth women’s edition, the Enfer du Nord has been extended by three kilometers (148.5), and will take 17 paved sectors (29.2 km), between Denain and Roubaix.
A playing field a priori favorable to the arrows of the SD Worx-Protime (Lotte Kopecky, Lorena Wiebes), but also to the legend Marianne Vos (Visma-Lease a bike), without forgetting the collective of the Lidl-Trek and the Tricolore Victory Berteau (Cofidis). A race to follow from 3:15 p.m., on France 3 and france.tv.
Crowned world champion last August in Glasgow, after spending a large part of the 2023 women’s Tour de France in yellow, and piling up prestigious successes (Tour of Flanders 2022 and 2023, Strade Bianche 2022 and 2024, Belgian champion.. .), Lotte Kopecky has dominated women’s cycling for over a year. At 28 years old, the Belgian from SD Worx-Protime will be the big favorite for this Paris-Roubaix 2024. And she assumes it.
“This is the race I want to win the most.”, she announced to the Belgian media RTL. Crowned in the Tour of the United Arab Emirates and the Strade Bianche this season, Lotte Kopecky was however behind in the Tour of Flanders last Sunday, she who was double title holder. So, real bad form or simple accident?
Long renowned for her irresistible burst of speed, the Dutch sprinter is in the process of changing. At 24 years old, the SD Worx-Pro Time rocket has, since the end of winter, displayed a face that we didn’t know: that of a classics hunter. Latest example? Her victory during Ghent-Wevelgem, ahead of the experienced Elisa Balsamo (Lidl-Trek) and the Italian pearl Chiara Consonni (UAE Team ADQ).
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